Doug DeMuro, a YouTube automotive reviewer with over 5 million subscribers, has just settled a debate that has been ongoing among enthusiasts for years. For him, it’s not even a question: the 2012 Tesla Model S is THE most important car of the last 30 years.
As a Tesla owner and observer of the automotive market’s evolution, I’ve always felt this impact daily. But hearing an external expert, renowned for his objectivity, confirm it with such conviction, validates something profound.
So why does such a respected reviewer place the Tesla Model S on this pedestal, above all other automotive innovations since the 90s?
An Influential Automotive Reviewer Who Doesn’t Pull Punches
Doug DeMuro is not just any automotive YouTuber. This American automotive reviewer has built a solid reputation thanks to his detailed reviews and his uncompromisingly factual analysis.
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What makes him credible? He tests absolutely every brand without apparent bias. You’ll see him point out the flaws of a Ferrari as easily as the qualities of a Kia. No beating around the bush, no sponsorship influencing his judgment.
This statement about the Tesla Model S comes from a recent video where he retrospectively analyzes the historical impact of certain vehicles on the automotive industry. And his conclusion is unequivocal.
Why does his opinion carry so much weight? Because it represents the perspective of a traditional car enthusiast, not a pre-converted “tech enthusiast.” When someone who isn’t in the Tesla bubble says this, it has a whole different significance.
Why the Tesla Model S rather than the Nissan Leaf or the Chevrolet Volt?
The Forgotten Pioneers
Let’s remember: the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt were released before the Tesla Model S, as early as 2010. Technically, they were the first mass-market electric cars of the modern era.
But their positioning confined them to the role of “green” cars with obvious compromises. Limited driving range, modest performance, questionable design. The general perception was clear: electric vehicle = sacrifice.
The Difference Between Being First and Changing the Game
Doug DeMuro explains it perfectly: “It’s not the car that does it first, it’s the one that democratizes the technology.”
The Tesla Model S proved that an EV could be desirable without compromise. We’re talking about 400+ kilometers of real-world range compared to barely 150 km for the Leaf. A world of difference.
My observation in the field is unequivocal: people wanted THIS car, not just “an electric car to look good.” The Tesla Model S created desire, not ecological resignation.
The Cultural Revolution: Making Electric Cars Cool
A Radical Shift in Perception
Before the Tesla Model S, the image of the electric vehicle was catastrophic: an eco-friendly, slow, and frankly ugly little car. Something for Parisian hipsters willing to make any sacrifice.
After the Tesla Model S? EV = performance, cutting-edge technology, unapologetic luxury. A complete cultural revolution.
The “wow” factor was everywhere: acceleration that rivaled supercars, a giant touchscreen when others were still using buttons, an elegant design that ages remarkably well.
And today, the Tesla Model S Plaid, exceeding 1,000 horsepower, continues to push the boundaries of electric performance.
The Domino Effect on the Global Automotive Industry
The impact on the automotive industry was immediate. The German giants, who scoffed at first, were forced to react urgently.
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- Porsche developed the Taycan
- Audi launched the e-tron range
- Mercedes created its EQ division
- BMW accelerated its i series
The EV was no longer an experimental niche market, but the future acknowledged by all major players. My observation is simple: in 2012, driving a Tesla made you a “weird early adopter.” In 2025, it’s almost mainstream.
The Industrial Feat: Creating a Car Manufacturer in 2012
But beyond the product itself, one must realize the magnitude of the achievement. The consensus in the automotive industry was clear: it was impossible to launch a new viable American car manufacturer.
The industrial barriers seemed insurmountable: colossal capital needed, complex supply chains, a distribution network to be created from scratch. A logistical and financial nightmare.
A striking historical reminder: the last viable American manufacturer before Tesla was… Chrysler in 1925. Nearly a century of failures in between.
Elon Musk’s audacity was to invest billions in this “impossible” gamble. And above all, to understand that it wasn’t enough to build a good electric car.
It was necessary to create the Supercharger infrastructure to solve the chicken-and-egg problem: no EVs without fast charging stations, no charging stations without EVs to make them profitable. Tesla invested massively in this Supercharger network, which revolutionized fast charging.
As a European, we sometimes forget this feat: creating an automotive brand from scratch and not only surviving but dominating an entire segment.
A Legacy That Goes Far Beyond Automotive
Tesla never became “just” a car manufacturer. It’s a tech and energy company that happens to make cars.
The Tesla ecosystem is complete: the car + home energy (Powerwall) + the charging network. An integrated vision that no one else has replicated with such success.
The gradual opening of Superchargers to other brands in 2024-2025 also shows the maturity of this infrastructure. What was an exclusive competitive advantage is becoming an industry standard.
The Tesla Model S was the catalyst for change: without its initial success, there would be no Model 3 accessible to the general public, no Gigafactories worldwide, no major disruption of the sector.
My personal view? The Tesla Model S paved the way, and now we see the fruits everywhere. Even those road trips in a Tesla Model S that were unthinkable before 2012 have become a daily reality for thousands of owners.
The electric vehicle market faces challenges in 2025, that’s undeniable. But the impetus given in 2012 remains decisive for understanding where we are today.
Doug DeMuro’s analysis ultimately aligns with the experience of millions of owners and industry observers. The Tesla Model S may no longer be the best-selling Tesla โ the Model 3 and Y largely dominate โ but it remains THE foundation upon which everything else has been built.
My personal feeling, after all these years following the sector’s evolution? Whether you’re a Tesla fan or a critic of the brand, it’s hard to deny the historical impact of this model on the entire automotive industry. This is also confirmed by recognized automotive analyses on the evolution of American manufacturers.
Final thought: what if in 30 years, we did the same exercise, which electric car would have the same weight in history? Is the revolution over, or is it just beginning?
And you, do you think DeMuro is right? Does the Tesla Model S truly deserve the title of the most important car of the last three decades?
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